Calendar of events

Sarah Bomber, center, rehearses for University Theatre’s productin of ‘The Fireflies’ in Bush Theatre at Central Michigan University. The play is being presented this weekend. (Sun photo by KEN KADWELL/@KenKadwell).

University Theatre at CMU will present “The Fireflies” today through Sunday in Bush Theater, by CMU Professor Lauren McConnell, based on the children’s book of the same name by Jan Karafiat. Originally performed in a concentration camp, “The Fireflies” tells a story of hope through music, dance and humor. For ticket information, contact Ticket Central at 989-774-3000 or centralboxoffice.cmich.edu.

Today

Students present their scholarly and creative work at Alma College’s annual Honors Day. Activities include poster presentations throughout the day and the awarding of the Ronald O. Kapp Honors Prize. All are welcome.

Friday

The Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort will present a Blues Festival at 7 p.m. in the Entertainment Hall, with the legendary B.B. King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Larry McCray and Ana Popovic. Ticket information is available through the Soaring Eagle Box Office.

The Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, on Adams Street in Mt. Pleasant, hosts Chef Extravaganza, its annual smorgasbord, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Cost is a free-will donation. The event features dishes donated by local restaurants and businesses.

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Saturday

The CMU School of Music presents Opus, showcasing the talents of CMU music students, in Staples Family Concert Hall in the Music Building. See Page 6 for more.

The Alma College Percussion Ensemble presents its annual spring concert at 8 p.m. in the Remick Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and up, and free for Alma College staff, students and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved. Call 989-463-7304 for ticket information.

A reception is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. at University Art Gallery at CMU for the exhibition “Mud and Martinis: Graphic Design 2013 Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition.” The exhibition is on display through April 13 in the Main and West Gallery of University Art Gallery. Done as part of a capstone class taught by David Stairs, it will feature work by candidates for the BFA in Graphic Design.

Sunday

The CMU School of Music presents the Horn Choir in concert, conducted by Bruce Bonnell, at 8 p.m. in Staples Family Concert Hall in the Music Building. Free and open to the public.

Chippewa River District Library Cinema presents Clint Eastwood’s “Trouble with the Curve” at 1 p.m. at Fremont Township Library. Free admission, but seating is limited.

The Alma College Kiltie Wind Ensemble and Wind and Percussion Consort perform traditional and contemporary concert band music at 3 p.m. in the Remick Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and up, and free for Alma College staff, students and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved. Call 989-463-7304 for ticket information.

Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort

Here is a look at upcoming concerts or other events. All shows begin at 8 p.m., unless otherwise noted:

Cheech and Chong, 8 p.m. April 20.

Murder Mystery Dinner, “Crime and Punishment” 8 p.m. April 26. Tickets are $50 per person or $90 per couple.

Loretta Lynn, 8 p.m. April 27.

Balagan, a Cirque Spectacular, 8 p.m. May 11.

Big and Rich, with Cowboy Troy, 8 p.m. May 24.

Huey Lewis and the News, 8 p.m., June 1.

Tickets may be purchased at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort Box Office, all Startickets outlets, including Meijer, or by calling 1-800-585-3737. The box office is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

CMU

Three-time Grammy nominated bluegrass-meets-soul band, The SteelDrivers, will perform in Bush Theatre in Moore Hall at CMU at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27. For more information, call 989-774-3105.

The CMU School of Music presents Alexandra Mascolo-David, piano, and Sarah Stone, mezzo-soprano, in concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Ticket information at 989-774-3045.

Clarke Historical Library Speaker Series will present Dr. David Schock at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in Park Library Auditorium at CMU. Shock, a producer, will premiere his documentary film about a Native American unit in the Civil War. Co. K, First Michigan Sharpshooters was made up largely of Native Americans from Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay. The video will be followed by a discussion with. Schock. This presentation is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. Following the presentation there will be a reception held within the Clarke Historical Library. The event is free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the Percussion Ensemble in concert, conducted by Andrew Spencer, at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents Jazz Central in concert, under the direction of Rob Smith, at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents Jazz Lab 1 in concert, under the direction of Rob Smith, at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the Wind Symphony and Symphony Band in concert, under the direction of James Batcheller,at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the CMU Orchestra with the Concerto Competition Winners in concert, conducted by José-Luis Maúrtua, at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers in concert, directed by Nina Nash-Robertson, at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the Women’s Chorus and Vocal Jazz in concert, directed by Alan Gumm, at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the Honors Recital at 11 a.m. Monday, April 22, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in concert, conducted by John E. Williamson, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23,. in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the Honors Recital at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

The CMU School of Music presents the University Band and Wind Symphony Chamber Winds in concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, in Staples Family Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

Alma College

The Alma College Flute Ensemble and members of the flute studio perform at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the Dunning Memorial Chapel. Admission is free and open to the public.

High school bands from around Michigan perform at the 17th annual Alma College Jazz Festival from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Remick Heritage Center. Admission is free and open to the public; no ticket is required.

The Alma Symphony Orchestra and Alma College Choirs join forces to present the musical masterpiece “Carmina Burana” at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13 and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 14 in the Remick Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and up, and free for Alma College staff, students and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved. Call (989) 463-7304 for ticket information.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan

Artists interested in competing in Art Walk Central can register for entry from April 1-May 3. Sign up is online only at www.artwalkcentral.com.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan will host one more concert as part of its Winter Concert Series, featuring Central Michigan University artists.

Concerts are at 4 p.m. at Art Reach on Broadway in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Tickets are $10 for each concert; $5 for students. Tickets available ahead of time at Art Reach on Broadway, and also will be sold at the door.

Sunday, April 28: Eric H. Tucker, bass-baritone. Tucker is an associate professor of voice/opera at CMU. As a bass soloist, Tucker has performed with such orchestras as the Orquesta Sinfonica de Trujillo, The Midland Symphony Orchestra, the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra, the Hilton Head Orchestra and others.

Wheatland Music Organization

Wheatscouts meet during the months of October through June and are generally scheduled for the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. until noon in the Gladys Wernette Building on the Wheatland Music site near Remus.

Wheatscouts promotes family tradition and fellowship and is offered free of charge. For more information, contact Kris or Bruce at 989-561-2308.

Local Theater

Alma College Theatre presents “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the Remick Heritage Center, Strosacker Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and up, and free for Alma College staff, students and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved. Call 989-463-7304 for ticket information.

Tickets are now on sale for the MMCC Theatre production of “Dilemmas with Dinner,” by Robin Roberts. The comedy will be presented in the MMCC Auditorium on the Harrison campus.

Matinees are set for April 9, 11, 16 and 18 at 2 p.m. An optional buffet luncheon is available at noon in the Michigan room. Ticket prices are $8 for the show only or $20 for the luncheon and show. Luncheon tickets must be purchased in advance and seating is limited.

Evening performances are April 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and under.

In “Dilemmas with Dinner,” junior executive Brooke invites her boss and his wife over for dinner in the hopes of securing a promotion. A caterer rushes in and out of the kitchen in response to timers and madly attempts to set the table. Brooke’s husband comes home with a strained back and is followed in short order by a fired, extremely inept, employee who is roped into helping … if you can call what he does “help.”

Tickets are on sale in the Harrison Campus Bookstore. For credit card orders using Visa, MasterCard or Discover, call the bookstore during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

For more information visit our website at www.midmich.edu/theatre or call Dawn at 989-386-6632.

Concerts

Kid Rock “Rebel Soul Tour” comes to the Dow Events Center in Saginaw for shows on April 5 and 6. Tickets are $49.50 and $59.50.

For ticket information, call 1-800-745-3000 or go to www.DowEventCenter.com.

Award-winning songwriter and bereaved father Alan Pedersen will play/speak at a concert sponsored by Mid-Michigan Chapter of the Compassionate Friends, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant. Pedersen is presenting his Angels Across the USA Tour. The public is invited to share an evening of music, hope and healing. Admission is free. Due to the emotional nature of the concert, ti is unsuitable for small children.

Gordon Lightfoot brings his “50 Years On The Carefree Highway Tour” to the Dow Events Center in Saginaw, for a show at 7 p.m. May 5. Tickets are $52.50, $42.50 & $32.50. For ticket information, call 1-800-745-3000 or go to www.DowEventCenter.com.

Dance and Performing Arts

A Contra Dance is held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. the second Saturday of the month at the Midland Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Midland. Every dance is taught before the music starts. Each dance is called and the music is live. Cost is $6 per person.

The Elks No. 1400 will host an adult singles dance on Saturday, April 6, at 610 W. Warwick Drive in Alma. Snacks and coffee provied from 7 to 11:30 p.m. You must be at least 21. Cost is $7. For more information, call Jim at 989-513-6711 or the Elks at 989-463-1400.

Wheatland Music Organization has planned traditional dances.

No prior dance experience is needed and you do not need to bring a partner. Dances are from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the classroom building at the Wheatland Music Organization, 7251 50 Ave. in Remus. Cost is $6 per person; free for those under 18.

Dances planned are:

April 20: Cajun Dance, music and dance instruction by Back Bayou. Potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m.

May 18: Contra Dance, music by Oakland County All Stars, Glen Morningstar calling.

For more information visit www.offbroadwaystudio.com, email info@offbroadwaystudio.com, or phone 989-317-3119.

Fitness classes cost $6 each or $25 for a five-class punch card.

Academy of Performing Arts in Alma offers classes. For information, call 989-463-2983 or visit www.apafrancis.com. Currently taking enrollments for fall.

The Newman School of Dance in Clare offers classes. Contact the studio via email at newmanschoolofdance@gmail.com, Facebook, or call the studio at 989-386-9653.

The Zimmerman School of Music in Mt.Pleasant offers classes. Contact the studio by calling 989-615-5411 or via www.zimmermanschoolofmusic.com. Currently taking applications for

new students of all ages. Classes are taught in Mt. Pleasant and Shepherd.

The West Gratiot Senior FWF Site in Sumner offers line dancing for everyone on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. The beginners line dancing class begins at 11 a.m. Free. For more information, call the site at 989-833-7624.

In addition, the site offers Euchre on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. after lunch.

Jamborees

Area jamborees are held on a regular basis at the following sites.

A Wheatland Music Organization jamboree, an informal gathering of acoustic musicians, singers and listeners, at 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month at the Wheatland Cabin. Free admission

Ithaca Wesleyan Church the first and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.

Edmore VFW Post first Friday of the month at 7 p.m.

Farwell Senior Center hosts a jamboree the last Friday of the month at 6 p.m. Electric and acoustic musicians welcome. Food is available.

Crystal Elementary School, second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 6:30 p.m.

Country and gospel music jamboree, first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Faith First Church of Alma. Free-will offering. Refreshments available.

Country and gospel music jamboree, Vestaburg School Cafetorium in Vestaburg, fourth Thursday of the each month at 6:30 pm. Open mic. Food available. Call 989-866-2515 for more information.

John Capen and Friends will hold their monthly gospel jamboree at The First Church of the Nazarene, 1980 S. Lincoln Road, Mt. Pleasant, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 1. All are welcome for an evening of old gospel songs.

Dow Gardens

Butterflies Around the World is at the Dow Gardens in Midland through April 21. Open every day frm 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Annual admission to the Dow Gardens is $10 for the year. Daily admission is $5 for adults and $1 for students. Children 5 or younger are admitted free.

The gardens are located at 1018 W. Main St. in Midland.

Midland Center for the Arts

“Grossology: The Impolite Science Of The Human Body” will be presented by the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art through April 21. Kids will love discovering the science behind the slimy, mushy, oozy, and stinky things that occur every day in the human body. Based on the best-selling book “Grossology” by Sylvia Branzei. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children ages 4 to 14. Free to museum members.

The Midland Center for the Arts Box Office is available by phone at 989-631-8250 or 800-523-7649. You may order tickets online at www.mcfta.org.

Dow Events Center in Saginaw

The Dow Events Center has announced its lineup for the Broadway in Saginaw theatrical season.

Aga-Boom will perform in Pasant Theatre at the Wharton Center at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Admission is $15. Three former stars of Cirque du Soleil juggle, stilt-walk and pratfall their way through paper pandemonium. Aga-Boom combines the unbridled silliness of slapstick and the humor of physical comedy with theatrical expressionism and poetry.

Chef, author and television host Anthony Bourdain will bring his “Guts and Glory Tour” to the Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55, plus applicable fees. Limited number of VIP seats are available for $150, plus applicable fees.

Carol Burnett will perform at Cobb Great Hall at the Wharton Center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. Ticketrs are $35, $55, and $85. “Laughter and Reflections with Carol Burnett” is billed as a “a conversation where the audience asks the questions.”

Wharton Center tickets are available for purchase online at whartoncenter.com, at the Wharton Center Box Office (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and by phone 1-800-WHARTON or 517-432-2000 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Local exhibits and galleries

Art Reach

The Art Reach Gallery in downtown Mt. Pleasant will feature work by artist Jacqueline Baerwald in March. For more information, call Art Reach at 989-773-3689.

The Flora Kirsch Beck Gallery at Alma College presents the annual Senior Show through Friday, April 19. Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

CMU

“Mud and Martinis: Graphic Design 2013 Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition” is on display through April 13 in the Main and West Gallery of University Art Gallery. Exhibition done as part of a capstone class taught by David Stairs, it will feature work by candidates for the BFA in Graphic Design. Reception is Saturday, April 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.

“Werk: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Spring 2013 Exhibition:” This art exhibition showcases the work by CMU Department of Art and Design BFA candidates Jesse Fox, Crystal Hartman, Tisch Mikhail Lewis, and Eric Thornton. It will be on display in the Main Gallery from April 19 to May 4. Reception is Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Barstow Artist-in-Residence Maria Michails will have her work on display in the West Gallery of University Art Gallery from April 19 to May 4. Michails combine art, technology and environmentalism to create human powered mechanisms/art works. Reception is Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.

On Display at Park Library at CMU:

“Sociology in the Visual” is a photographic exhibit created by Sociology 100 students that explores the visual dimensions of social life in Michigan and other parts of the United States. This exhibit is located on the Third Floor Exhibit Area in the Park Library and is free and open to the public.

March 25 - May 6: Rural Impressions by Alan Maciag in the Baber Room - CMU alumni and Michigan Resident Alan Maciag exhibits realist plein–air paintings of the pure beauty of nature at its finest hour. The exhibit is open during the normal hours of the Park Library. Free and open to the public.

“Drilling for Brine: The Dow Chemical Plant in Mt. Pleasant 1903 - 1930” is on display through July 31 in Clarke Historical Library, within Park Library. This exhibit created by the Clarke Historical Library explores the question, “Why Mt. Pleasant?” The Dow Chemical Company’s history in Midland is well documented. This exhibit offers a glimpse into the company’s brief Mt. Pleasant operation. The exhibit is accessible from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. This event is free and open to the public.

April through June 2013: Nature’s Designs by Howard Garrett in the Third Floor Exhibit Area - Colorful abstracts create a unique connection between art and science in this enhanced photography exhibit of microscopic crystalline structures.

May 8 - June 26: Dow Chemical Commissions by Knighton-Hammond in the Baber Room- A selection of paintings of the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, MI, painted in the early days of the plant in 1920.

June 28, 2013 - July 2013: New Acquisitions in the Baber Room - Fine art works recently added to CMU’s permanent art collection

July through December, 2013: Our Front Porch at the Clarke Historical Library Exhibit Space - More than 30 years of music from CMU public radio show “Our Front Porch” produced and hosted by John Sheffler

On Permanent Display Year Round: The Olga Dennison Collection in the Fourth Floor Exhibit Area - Anishinabe art and craft

CMU’s Permanent Collection is on exhibit year round throughout the Library’s various exhibit spaces

Farwell Area Historical Museum

The museum is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:30 to 5:30. For more information call 588-0580.